Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



HLED MAY 31,1921- Patented Mar. 13, i923.

'ananas .earn

inane JOHN it ooonnoa, or carcasa, innrnors, assrenon 'ro WILLIAM H. Minna, or orinar, NEW Yoan.

FRICTION SHCK-ABSORBING- MECHAN'ISM.

To all whom if may concern.'

Be it known that l, Jer-1N F. OCoNNon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of 5 Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Friction Shock-Absorbing Mechanisms, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock-absorbing mechanisms.

One object of the invention is to-provide a high capacity friction shock absorbing mechanism especially adapted for railway draft riggings and wherein is obtained certain release, large frictional wearing-r areas, low pressure per unit of friction wearing areas, and relatively small peak or manimum load transmitted to the car underframe or other structure on which themechanism vis mounted.

More specifically, the object of my invention is to provide a shock absorbing mechanism possessing the` general characteristics .above indicated,`and wherein is employed a novel type of lateral pressure or wedging means which may be manufactured at comparatively small expense. n

Other objects of the invention vwill more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a horizontal lonrailway draft rigging showing my improvements in connection therewith. Fig.l 2 is-a vertical transverse sectional view correspending substantially to the line 2-2 of spectives of oneof the stationaryA friction plates, one of the friction wedge shoes, vand one ofthe wedge elements, respectively.

`Insaid drawing, 10`10 denote channel draft sills in a railway car, to the inner'faces of which are secured front stop lugs 11 and rear stop lugs 12. The rearor inner-,portion of a drawbar is indicated at 13, thesame being operatively associated with the shock absorbing mechanism proper by vmeans of a hoodedcast yoke 14 and coupler key 15. rlhe shock absorbing mechanism is contained gitudinal sectional view of al portionfof a- Fig. l. And Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are detail per-` within the yoke and is supportedin operaf tive position in conjunction with the yoke by a detachable saddle plate 16.

The improved shock absorbing mechanism proper, as shown,'comprises,. broadly, acolumn-load-sustaining member A, sometimes called a shell or follower member; a spring resistance B; a spring follower C; a series of relatively stationary friction elements-D;

a series of relatively movable friction elements E; a pair of wedge shoes F-F; Ia pressure transmittin block G; a pair of Wedge elements H- a spreader element J; a front follower K; and a retainer bolt L. u

The member A is preferably inthe form of a malleable casting and at its forward and outer end is of rectangular box-'like' 70 form having an upper wall 17 ,y lower wall 18 and side walls 1 919. Rearwardly of the box-like section or casing thus formed,

the casting A is designed with a cylindrical section 20 forming a cage and centering 75 means for the single spring AB. yAt its rear end, the member A is formed with an integral transverse wall 2l acting asa rear -follower in conjunction with the kstop lugs 12. The casting is'f'sutably reenforced by 80 strengthening iianges 22-22rearwardly of the casing.

W'ithin the rectangular casing section, the casting A is provided'withupper and lower pairs of aligned relatively `short transversely extending ribs23 and 24. The ribs 28 obviously provide rearwardly-facing shoulders and the ribs 2aforwardly-facing shoulders, and between said shoulders are mounted the stationary friction elements D,.which are preferably in the form of Hat plates channeled on opposing sides to provide longitudinally extending guides or grooves 25. With this construction, it will be apparent that ythe plates D are prevented from longitudinal movement with respect tothe member A, but are, nevertheless, freely responsive to laterally appliedpressure. l

The movable friction plates are of the ordinary rectangular form, and are alterk nated with the stationary plates :D. The width of the plates E is such that they slide within the channel guides 25 and the thickness of the plates E is lsuch as toprovide `for a narrow space 26 between the thickened 105 edges of the plates-D, as clearly shown in Ari g. 2. In normal position of the parts, the forward ends of the plates E project out` wardly fromv the shell, and at theirrealr ends project yinwardly of the rear ends of the stationary plates l), the inner ends ofthe plates E normally engaging the spring follower F, as shown in Fig. 1. In actual pracelement H.

` ,EG is provided with a 'opening 31- delined on the.k forward sidefby.`

tice, the series lof stationary and movable plates D and E will `be divided. into two l l()k one on each side of the center line,

groups,

therebetween for the thereby leaving a space wedging or `lateral-pressure-creating system. ofthe wedge shoes F is of triangu-l lar form having van outer flat face 27 engag- Oj vagainst the'opposed inner face "of a kmovable plate At its inner end, each vi'r'ieniberF`is providedwith a flat transverse i face "2S bearing against tliespringy follower C. On its inner side, each vmember F is formed'with an inclined wedge face Q9 adapted'to coi-operate with the correspond' ing engaging wedge face 30 oftliewedge rlhe pressuretransmitting block is preferably in the form of-a casting, suitably -cored,"as indicated,` and bears" at its .outer gend against-they inner face ofthe fro-nt follow'er'l'.A Intermedia-te its endsfthe bloclr transversely extending a flat surfafceand` on the inner side'bya f convex` surface, the latter being indicated at 7 Extending throughv said openingl "vex,

31 'is the spring vsteel-tempered plate 2 .1J which, in normal conditiomis' bowed or conas shown in Fig. 1l. AppliedV to the oppo'site ends `of said plate J, arecylindrical 35 provided on 'the inner 'bushings 33, suitably slotted on their inner sides,` a-sindicated at 34,to receive the edges l'of the'pla'tefJ.v "Saidbus'hings 33; are receivedin correspondingcylindrical recesses sides of the wedge elements H. At its inner end the block G in Fig. rl`l, and normally,

the' movable friction plates E,

casting A, and, at itsforward'end, is an.- chored-ina suitable recess' 37 ofthe vblock G; The bolt extendsthrough the follower C,

E or of the spring follower block@y and spring plate J, allof the ylatter being suitably apertured for this purpose.

rIhe opera-tion of the mechanism is as follows,'assumin`gan'inward or bufling movement of the drawbar. isl the ydrawbar moves inwardly, the follower K is forced rearwardly simultaneously therewith. This'v in turn actuates the block G rearwardly, and

initially there is no actuation of the plates C. VOwing tothe initial" resistancey obtainingv between the shoes F- and the innermost movable plates ing this that the bushings y33 function substantially to destructivev blows.

E, the spreader plate-'J does ory tends to straightenout, "thereby increasing the lateral pressure exerted on the wedge elements f H and. from the latter on the shoes F." Dur flexing ofthe plate J, it is evident as pivotal bearings thereby facilitating the action ofthe parts. As the movement o-f the drawbar and follower K inwardly continues, and. as the plate J tends to flatten out, the entire system of block Gr, wedge elements H and shoes F nioves'rearwardly a slight distancerelativelyto the intercalated 'riotion plates, until the spring'follower C is removed from engagementiwith the inner ends of the.y plates E. After approximately a helf-Villh"movement ofthe front fol-lower K, the latter ythen engages the ends of the movable plates E, and thereafter-the plates E are'pushed rearwardly, thus generating friction between ysaid plates E and the stationary plates D. yAt the beginning of the actuation of the movable plates E, it

will be observed that the desired degree of spreading or wedging action has been produced, and said action is dependentupon` the degree of compression of the spring vB erally exerted pressure on the intercala'ted friction plates, and also toavoidwthe possibility of the plate'J being flexed beyond itselastic limit. 0n accountof" they large amount 0f frictional wearing areas'l the total vresistance is vmany times the resistance of the spring B', -so that I am enabled to obtain a high capacity. Furthermore, served that the area'of friction surfacesin 'contact always remains theV same, so that I Aam `enabled l to .obtain ay graduated and smooth action and absorption of the shock throughout the i entire f stroke; This latter feature also enables. me to keep the ultimate yor peak loadtransmitted to theunderframe at a comparatively smallfigure,` so thatthe draft lugsy and draft i sills are During release, after the removal ofthe vactuating force, the?` spring B immediately expands land begins to projectv the .wedge shoes F and wedge elements H outwardly. Simultaneously, .thespring plate J also f tends torresume `itsnormal condition,- thus forcing the block G outwardly relatively to the wedge elementsy H. .During this initial and 'is not determined bythe'forceof `the i actuating blow. For thi'slreason, lamenabled to effectively limit the degree oflat-l95` Y* it willbe obnot' subjected p portion of the release action, the spring.

follower C1 is 'free from engagement with the friction plates E, and, consequently the wedging pressure is reduced-substantially to y a minimum ybefore the follower Ckcomes into v engagement with the inner endsofthe plates i Il. After the follower C hasengaged the ends of they plates AE, the latter are easily y projected outwardly to the their normal position under the lcontinued expansion of the spring B.

I have herein shown and described what VI now consider the preferred manner of wedge elements co-operablewith said shoes,

and a resilient curved rectangular plate interposed between said wedge elements, said plate being flexed upon application of longitudinally directed forces.

2. In a friction shockV absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member having interior longitudinally extending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; wedge friction shoes cooperable with said surfaces; Yand means for creating lateral pressure upon a longitudinal movement of said friction shoes during a compression stroke, said means including wedge elements co-operable with said shoes, a resilient curved plate disposed between said wed e elements, and rounded bushings on the ec ges of said plate, said Wedge e-lements having correspondingly formed recesses to accommodate said bushings..

3. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member having interior longitudinally extending' friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; wedge friction shoes cooperable with said surfaces; and means for crea-ting lateral pressure upon a longitudinal movement of said Afriction shoes during a compression stroke, said means including a pair of laterally-spaced wedge elements, and an outwardly bowed transversely extending elongated spring plate interposed between said wedge elements.

4. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member having interior longitudinally extending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; wedge friction shoes cooperable with said surfaces; and means for creating lateral pressure upon a longitudinal movement of said friction shoes during a compression stroke, said means including wedge elements co-operable with said shoes, a resilient curved plate interposed between said wedge elements, and a pressure-transmitting block extending outwardly and inwardly of said plate, said block being recessed transversely to vaccommodate said plate therein.

5. In'a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member having a casing at onel end; of a'plurality ofl relatively stationary friction plates disposedwithin said casing and held against longitudinal `movement with respect thereto; a plurality of movable p friction plates intercalated with respect tof" said rst-named plates, said stationary'and movable plates being divided into separate groups; a spring resistance and means for creating lateral pressure von said groups of plates, said means including friction shoes` on the inner side' of each group, wedge elements co-operable with said shoes, andan elongated resilient curved plate interposed between said wedge elements.

6. In a friction shock absorbing mecha-5 nism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member' having a casing at one end; of a plurality of relatively stationary friction plates disposed within said casing and held against longitudinal movement' with respect thereto; a plurality of movable friction plates intercalated with respect to said first-named plates, said stationary and movable plates being divided into separate groups; a spring resistance; and means for creating lateral pressure on said groups of plates, said means including wedge friction shoes on the inner sides of said groups of plates, wedge elements co-operable with said shoes, a resilient curved plate located between said wedge elements, and rounded bushings on the edges of said plate, said wedge elements having correspondingly shaped recesses to accommodate said bushings.

7. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member having a casing at one end; of a plurality of relatively stationary friction plates disposed within said casing and held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto; a plurality of movable friction plates intercalated with respect to said first-named plates, said stationary and movable plates being divided into separate groups; a spring resistance; and means for creating lateral pressure on said groups of plates, said means including a pair of laterally spaced wedge friction shoes, a pair of wedge elements co-operable with said shoes, and a transversely extending elongated bowed spring' plate interposed between said wedge elements.

8. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member having a casing at one end; of a plurality of relatively stationary friction plates disposed within said casing and held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto; a plurality of movable friction plates intercalated with respect to said lfirst-named plates, saidA stationary `and movable platesbeing divided into separate groups; a spring resistance; and means i for creating lateral pressure on said groups of plates, said .means including a. pair of laterally spaced wedge` friction shoes, a pair of wedge elements co-operable with said shoes, a transversely extending bowed vspring plate interposed between said wedge elements,;and a pressure-transmitting block extending outwardly and inwardly of said plate, said lblock being transversely recessed to accommodate said spring plate therein.

`9. In a frictionshock absorbing mecha-` nism, the combination vwith a follower-act vingl imember having` a lsubstantially rectangular open-end casing yat one end; of aplurality of relatively stationaryfriction plates mounted within said casing and held' against longitudinal movement with respect thereto -but freely responsive to'latei'al pressure v;` a plurality of longitudinally movable frictionplates `alternated with respect` to said stationary plates, said movable and stationary plates being divided into two laterally separated groups; a spring resistance;

a wedge friction shoe on the inner side of` each groupv of plates; a pair of wedge elements co-operable with said shoes; a pressureftransmittingblock; an outwardly I' bowed spring plate disposed between said wedge elements, said block being transversely recessed to accommodate said plate;

and rounded bushings on the ends ofy said plate, said wedge elements having correspondingly shaped recesses to accommodate said bushings. i v

10. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combination with a column-loadsustaining member, having interior longitudinally` extending friction surfaces; of a spring resistance; a spring follower; wedgefriction-shoes cooperable with said surfaces,

and means forl creating lateral pressurev `upon longitudinal movement of said` friction shoes vduring the compression stroke, said means including wedge elementsy cooperable witlisaid shoes, a resilient curved plate interposed between` said 4wedgeelements, and a column arranged in limited spaced relation relative to said follower and .engaging the inner side of said plate. 

